US ban will not affect NBPOL

By DALE LUMA
THE United States ban on imports from Sime Darby Plantations (SPD) does not apply to New Britain Palm Oil Ltd (NBPOL), says chief executive officer James Graham.
Sime Darby wholly owns NBPOL and its products are found in household goods.
Graham told The National in response to whether the ban would affect NBPOL exports given that it was a subsidiary, that it did not export to the US and so it would not be affected.
He said the ban had been put in place following allegations of forced labour in Sime Darby Plantation estates in Malaysia.
It did not apply to NBPOL plantations in PNG.
“It does not apply to NBPOL’s palm oil and also NBPOL does not export any palm oil to the US,” Graham said.
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a withhold release order on SDP’s palm oil entering the US, effective from Dec 30, 2020.
“The withhold release order by the US CBP relates to SDP’s palm oil produced in Malaysia only.
“This was brought about by an international NGO called liberty shared, which subsequently lobbied the US customs and border protection to stop the entry of Sime Darby Plantation palm oil into the US.
“All of NBPOL’s exported palm oil goes to the UK and Europe.
“The withhold release order has no direct impact on NBPOL.
“Liberty shared alleges that forced labour abuses have been occurring in the Malaysian estates.
“These allegations are based on interviews they conducted with workers.
“However, little specific details of these abuses have been provided by liberty shared or the US CBP, which makes it difficult for SDP to meaningfully address the allegations.
“Nevertheless, Sime Darby Plantation takes these matters very seriously and is reviewing its operations and procedures with the assistance of independent third parties, to ensure operational practices strongly comply with the company’s strict human rights policies which also apply to NBPOL.”